 |
| KSA with Sir Shina Peters, K1-De Ultimate, Rilwan Osagie and Adewale Ayuba |
Becoming
the first President of Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria,
PMAN, came by chance. I did not plan it
neither was it part of my dream. But I
have always been bothered by the lack of unity among musicians. My experience on how musicians relate to one
another is frightening.
the first President of Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria,
PMAN, came by chance. I did not plan it
neither was it part of my dream. But I
have always been bothered by the lack of unity among musicians. My experience on how musicians relate to one
another is frightening.
If they are not
fighting among themselves, their fans will be fighting because of them. Unfortunately, there was no platform to
resolve such issues or speak with one voice. The only one that existed – Nigerian Musicians Union – had long
ceased to be. That was why at one point;
Bobby
Benson formed his own called, Musicians’ Foundation. Then Radio,
Television and Theatre Workers Union, RATTAWU was established. I supported all these efforts by playing free
anytime they wanted to raise money maybe in Lagos,
Ibadan or anywhere else. But musicians were still not united; each one
doing his or her own thing.
Then
Mrs.
Christy Essien-Igbokwe (of blessed memory) and her husband, Edwin,
wrote to all musicians to meet so as to fight piracy. It was 1982, I think. By that time, I had just opened Ariya
Nite Club. We all met
there. It was the first time I saw
musicians all over Nigeria together under one roof. We were so lucky. Nearly every media house
was represented. We wanted to stage a
walk to government House. Somebody then
said, since all of us are here why don’t we form an association? That, it was said, was the only way we can
speak with one voice. From the bottom of
my heart that was what I wanted. We then went upstairs. After the press conference the issue was
raised again and accepted. But then what do we call it? All sorts of names came up. Finally, we settled for Performing Musicians Association
of Nigeria, PMAN.
Mrs.
Christy Essien-Igbokwe (of blessed memory) and her husband, Edwin,
wrote to all musicians to meet so as to fight piracy. It was 1982, I think. By that time, I had just opened Ariya
Nite Club. We all met
there. It was the first time I saw
musicians all over Nigeria together under one roof. We were so lucky. Nearly every media house
was represented. We wanted to stage a
walk to government House. Somebody then
said, since all of us are here why don’t we form an association? That, it was said, was the only way we can
speak with one voice. From the bottom of
my heart that was what I wanted. We then went upstairs. After the press conference the issue was
raised again and accepted. But then what do we call it? All sorts of names came up. Finally, we settled for Performing Musicians Association
of Nigeria, PMAN.
“We
went to Kogi State and they said the governor gave us N2 million which I did
not declare to members. I asked N2
million? We went with two cars and we
came back with two cars. Everybody’s luggage was intact. Where would I keep N2 million? This was what triggered a lot of things”
 |
| KSA….The Politics of lies and intrigues instituted against his person at PMAN has taught him how to hate and run away from politics |
We
were almost 50, in that small room. Now,
coming to the logo, it was Gugbemi Amas who designed it. He just drew it. It is the logo they are still using
today. It then came to choosing the
officials – President, vice President, General Secretary and others. That was how my name came up. I said no, I’m still performing. I want somebody who will have the time. They all voted. I was the only one who voted
for another person! Oliver de Coque was the
returning Officer. They chose Christy as the Treasurer. Emma Ogosi was General Secretary. There
was nothing I could do but to accept Sunny Okosuns as Vice President.
were almost 50, in that small room. Now,
coming to the logo, it was Gugbemi Amas who designed it. He just drew it. It is the logo they are still using
today. It then came to choosing the
officials – President, vice President, General Secretary and others. That was how my name came up. I said no, I’m still performing. I want somebody who will have the time. They all voted. I was the only one who voted
for another person! Oliver de Coque was the
returning Officer. They chose Christy as the Treasurer. Emma Ogosi was General Secretary. There
was nothing I could do but to accept Sunny Okosuns as Vice President.
 |
| KSA….with some PMAN executives after inauguration |
What
I did was to quickly find a place in Ikeja as secretariat. We rented a whole floor. Then I removed all the chairs that I used in
my night club to the place and also bought new ones to furnish the place. The association was not registered yet. But we now had an association with one voice.
As protem president, I went from one musician to the other to join hands with
us. I would go to Dr. Victor Olaiya,
prostrate on the ground and say, “please,
let’s do this thing together”. I
would go to I.K. Dairo, everybody. Some of them would say ‘no problem’. Others would
say, “We don’t belong to you, we have our
Musicians Union”. At a time we
started arguing with I.K Dairo and Zeal Onyia. Zeal Onyia was working with Radio
Nigeria and was with RATTAWU. I.K. Dairo was an independent
musician, so we asked, how can you belong to RATTAWU? At the end of the
day, there was nothing I could do.
I did was to quickly find a place in Ikeja as secretariat. We rented a whole floor. Then I removed all the chairs that I used in
my night club to the place and also bought new ones to furnish the place. The association was not registered yet. But we now had an association with one voice.
As protem president, I went from one musician to the other to join hands with
us. I would go to Dr. Victor Olaiya,
prostrate on the ground and say, “please,
let’s do this thing together”. I
would go to I.K. Dairo, everybody. Some of them would say ‘no problem’. Others would
say, “We don’t belong to you, we have our
Musicians Union”. At a time we
started arguing with I.K Dairo and Zeal Onyia. Zeal Onyia was working with Radio
Nigeria and was with RATTAWU. I.K. Dairo was an independent
musician, so we asked, how can you belong to RATTAWU? At the end of the
day, there was nothing I could do.
 |
| KSA with Michael Otedola – Copy |
PMAN & the Crisis
of identity…
of identity…
I
was protem president for two years. The
association had nothing. No money,
nothing. I was the one who paid rent for
the secretariat. Nobody wanted to
contribute when it came to the issue of money. How much was the
contribution? N50! The challenge outside was even more. Anywhere we wanted to go to talk about PMAN,
another group would go there and say, “We
don’t belong there; they are not authentic Nigerian musicians”.
was protem president for two years. The
association had nothing. No money,
nothing. I was the one who paid rent for
the secretariat. Nobody wanted to
contribute when it came to the issue of money. How much was the
contribution? N50! The challenge outside was even more. Anywhere we wanted to go to talk about PMAN,
another group would go there and say, “We
don’t belong there; they are not authentic Nigerian musicians”.
After
my tenure, the association was registered but unfortunately it was registered
as Performing
Musicians Employers Association of Nigeria, PMEAN. Our constitution does
not have anywhere it states that it is an employers’ association. It was registered under the Trade Union Act. When they wanted to
register it, I wasn’t there. But they
registered it under the Trade Union so that they can sue and be sued whereas an
association has no such power. Even
though I was against it at least I was happy that we had been registered.
my tenure, the association was registered but unfortunately it was registered
as Performing
Musicians Employers Association of Nigeria, PMEAN. Our constitution does
not have anywhere it states that it is an employers’ association. It was registered under the Trade Union Act. When they wanted to
register it, I wasn’t there. But they
registered it under the Trade Union so that they can sue and be sued whereas an
association has no such power. Even
though I was against it at least I was happy that we had been registered.
It
was not my wish to go back to PMAN as president. It was the Western Zone members that
persuaded me to run for the position.
And it took them eight years to convince me. Each time they came, my question always was,
have you told somebody else because I don’t want to step on anybody’s
shoes? The last time when the pressure
became too much for me to bear I told them to talk to Ade Olusayo, who had already
been tipped for the position. They went
and came back to inform me that he was no longer willing to run.
was not my wish to go back to PMAN as president. It was the Western Zone members that
persuaded me to run for the position.
And it took them eight years to convince me. Each time they came, my question always was,
have you told somebody else because I don’t want to step on anybody’s
shoes? The last time when the pressure
became too much for me to bear I told them to talk to Ade Olusayo, who had already
been tipped for the position. They went
and came back to inform me that he was no longer willing to run.
 |
| KSA crowned as King of Music by Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi (Surrounded by PMAN executives in 2nd picture) |
The Return of the
King to the secretariat…
King to the secretariat…
Once
convinced to return, I knew I had to put good structures on the ground. I wanted to leave behind legacies that will
benefit musicians all over the country.
The first was to ensure that the fight against piracy is taken seriously
and is passed into law.
convinced to return, I knew I had to put good structures on the ground. I wanted to leave behind legacies that will
benefit musicians all over the country.
The first was to ensure that the fight against piracy is taken seriously
and is passed into law.
Another
thing was to make sure PMAN gets a radio station, television station and a
recording company. I spent about half a
million naira on professionals to write feasibility studies on these. I also approached then Military Administrator
of Lagos Stage, Col. Olagunsonye Oyinlola who promised to help and his
successor, Col. Buba Marwa, who said he would look into it. I was able to get PMAN an e-mail address,
website and link to other music bodies across the world.
thing was to make sure PMAN gets a radio station, television station and a
recording company. I spent about half a
million naira on professionals to write feasibility studies on these. I also approached then Military Administrator
of Lagos Stage, Col. Olagunsonye Oyinlola who promised to help and his
successor, Col. Buba Marwa, who said he would look into it. I was able to get PMAN an e-mail address,
website and link to other music bodies across the world.
 |
| KSA & wife, with two late monarchs, Ooni of Ife & Osemawe of Ondo Kingdom |
But
what worried me the most was the poor state of PMAN secretariat. Everything I left behind 18 years ago was
what I met. My first day in office, I saw musicians protesting and smashing the
picture of the former president. When I
asked what was going on, Geraldo Pino said, “ah, Mr. President, come, come, come. Enter your office, we will sort it out”.
I entered and I was shocked to notice that the air-conditioner was not working;
the door and furniture were in bad shape.
I was disappointed.
what worried me the most was the poor state of PMAN secretariat. Everything I left behind 18 years ago was
what I met. My first day in office, I saw musicians protesting and smashing the
picture of the former president. When I
asked what was going on, Geraldo Pino said, “ah, Mr. President, come, come, come. Enter your office, we will sort it out”.
I entered and I was shocked to notice that the air-conditioner was not working;
the door and furniture were in bad shape.
I was disappointed.
Then
Geraldo
Pino entered and told me the musicians were protesting because they had
not been given forty thousand naira due the delegates who came to Lagos from
other states. I asked him pay them with
promise to reimburse him. He did and
they all left.
Geraldo
Pino entered and told me the musicians were protesting because they had
not been given forty thousand naira due the delegates who came to Lagos from
other states. I asked him pay them with
promise to reimburse him. He did and
they all left.
 |
| KSA….with some PMAN executives after inauguration |
How I spent N15
Million to revamp PMAN…
Million to revamp PMAN…
I
then issued directives to my managers there and then to go and get metal
furniture for the secretariat before the end of that day and begin painting the
whole place before the next day. By
3.00pm, they started painting. That
evening, the furniture arrived. And by
the next morning, the office had a new look.
I now said, by the grace of God, in the next 100 days we will get a new
place. And it happened. The renovation, the decoration and furnishing
were carried out by me. I made sure the
treasurer wrote down everything as I was spending. Half of the Lagos State Secretariat building
was also paid for by me because they said they did not have enough money. I paid for the studio there and told them
that when it starts to make money, they can pay back. I spent not less than N15 million on PMAN as president.
then issued directives to my managers there and then to go and get metal
furniture for the secretariat before the end of that day and begin painting the
whole place before the next day. By
3.00pm, they started painting. That
evening, the furniture arrived. And by
the next morning, the office had a new look.
I now said, by the grace of God, in the next 100 days we will get a new
place. And it happened. The renovation, the decoration and furnishing
were carried out by me. I made sure the
treasurer wrote down everything as I was spending. Half of the Lagos State Secretariat building
was also paid for by me because they said they did not have enough money. I paid for the studio there and told them
that when it starts to make money, they can pay back. I spent not less than N15 million on PMAN as president.
 |
| KSA & wife, with two late monarchs, Ooni of Ife & Osemawe of Ondo Kingdom |
I
was doing all these because I wanted to improve the image of the
musicians. I believe a musician should
be able to stand side by side with any other professional. But if I expected commendation from my
colleagues, I was wrong! I organized the
Patrons Dinner to raise money for PMAN so that more can be done for musicians.
About five governors came. One gave us N2
million; even senators did not have a place to seat. The venue was filled to capacity. It was the biggest event I have ever
witnessed in PMAN’s history. I was having in mind that we would have
between N5 million to N10 million from the donations, a week after, I asked the
treasurer to show me the accounts. And I
saw only N900, 000 plus. I asked, “Is this the account?” He said, “Yes”. I told him to wait and then went to the bank
where I got a full picture of the donations.
Then I called the first vice president, may his soul rest in peace, Chief
Roland
Onwuama, and said: “Mr. Vice,
what’s going on?” He replied, “Na so I see am o” “I said. “Na so you see what?’ Let’s meet”.
was doing all these because I wanted to improve the image of the
musicians. I believe a musician should
be able to stand side by side with any other professional. But if I expected commendation from my
colleagues, I was wrong! I organized the
Patrons Dinner to raise money for PMAN so that more can be done for musicians.
About five governors came. One gave us N2
million; even senators did not have a place to seat. The venue was filled to capacity. It was the biggest event I have ever
witnessed in PMAN’s history. I was having in mind that we would have
between N5 million to N10 million from the donations, a week after, I asked the
treasurer to show me the accounts. And I
saw only N900, 000 plus. I asked, “Is this the account?” He said, “Yes”. I told him to wait and then went to the bank
where I got a full picture of the donations.
Then I called the first vice president, may his soul rest in peace, Chief
Roland
Onwuama, and said: “Mr. Vice,
what’s going on?” He replied, “Na so I see am o” “I said. “Na so you see what?’ Let’s meet”.
I
was now shown records of expenditure even for contracts awarded without my
consent. I was shocked: N900, 000 plus;
N800, 000 plus; N500, 000 plus so on and so on.
I now said for any expenditure above N10, 000. I must sign the cheque.
was now shown records of expenditure even for contracts awarded without my
consent. I was shocked: N900, 000 plus;
N800, 000 plus; N500, 000 plus so on and so on.
I now said for any expenditure above N10, 000. I must sign the cheque.
The gang up against
the king…
the king…
At
a time, they now ganged up against me.
We went to Kogi State and they said the governor gave us N2 million which
I did not declare to members. I asked N2
million? We went with two cars and we
came back with two cars. Everybody’s luggage was intact. Where would I keep N2 million? This was what triggered a lot of things. We went to our patron Dr. Bode Olajumoke to
iron things out and I swore in the name of God that I never took any money from
the governor and that when time comes truth will prevail. I was desperate to clear my name and I wrote
to the governor. But the letter was
never sent from the PMAN office. It is there up till today.
a time, they now ganged up against me.
We went to Kogi State and they said the governor gave us N2 million which
I did not declare to members. I asked N2
million? We went with two cars and we
came back with two cars. Everybody’s luggage was intact. Where would I keep N2 million? This was what triggered a lot of things. We went to our patron Dr. Bode Olajumoke to
iron things out and I swore in the name of God that I never took any money from
the governor and that when time comes truth will prevail. I was desperate to clear my name and I wrote
to the governor. But the letter was
never sent from the PMAN office. It is there up till today.
I
made a mistake by not sending it from outside the office. In any case, if I went outside to do it, I would
have been accused of meeting the governor to sort things out. After some years, Kenny George, my then
second vice president, called a press conference where he admitted that they
lied against me, that I never received any money from the governor, that they
made up the story.
made a mistake by not sending it from outside the office. In any case, if I went outside to do it, I would
have been accused of meeting the governor to sort things out. After some years, Kenny George, my then
second vice president, called a press conference where he admitted that they
lied against me, that I never received any money from the governor, that they
made up the story.
 |
| KSA with eminent Nigerian Novelist, Cyprian Ekwensui |
I
was also reported to Dr. Olajumoke, who was then our
patron. He had been told that the money
he donated during the Patron’s Nite was not in the
association’s account, meaning that I had cornered it. I met Olajumoke and said as a lawyer, you
can find out from your bank where any cheque you issued has gone. I also reminded him that I was not PMAN to
which he addressed the cheque. That way, I explained, no bank would conduct
that kind of transaction.
was also reported to Dr. Olajumoke, who was then our
patron. He had been told that the money
he donated during the Patron’s Nite was not in the
association’s account, meaning that I had cornered it. I met Olajumoke and said as a lawyer, you
can find out from your bank where any cheque you issued has gone. I also reminded him that I was not PMAN to
which he addressed the cheque. That way, I explained, no bank would conduct
that kind of transaction.
My
only regret on my return to PMAN is that my people think more of what they can
get today and not tomorrow. Today, we
are back to square one…
only regret on my return to PMAN is that my people think more of what they can
get today and not tomorrow. Today, we
are back to square one…
 |
| KSA as PMAN President, with Charly Oputa trailling him behind |
Why I hate Politics…
If
there is a field I like to avoid, it is that of politics. I hate politics, but it seems there is no way
of getting away from it in our various fields of endeavor. Partisan politics is unappealing to me. As an entertainer, it would have been
inexpedient to join partisan politics, even if I wanted to. The politics with which I am familiar is the
politics of the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria
(PMAN). The PMAN is a body that should
be respected, but that is not the case because of impure motives and interests
of some musicians elected to head the association.
there is a field I like to avoid, it is that of politics. I hate politics, but it seems there is no way
of getting away from it in our various fields of endeavor. Partisan politics is unappealing to me. As an entertainer, it would have been
inexpedient to join partisan politics, even if I wanted to. The politics with which I am familiar is the
politics of the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria
(PMAN). The PMAN is a body that should
be respected, but that is not the case because of impure motives and interests
of some musicians elected to head the association.
 |
| KSA crowned as King of Music by Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi (Surrounded by PMAN executives in 2nd picture) |
How I became King of
Music…
I
was glad because this was something I did not lobby for or planned for. Like other awards in recognition of my
contribution to music, it just came.
Like other awards, I thought the presentation would be in the form of a
plaque or certificate. But no, this was
different. The organizers had a grand
idea of how to honor their king of music.
And who else but the respected first class traditional ruler, the Alaafin
of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, that was chosen to handle
the ceremony. I did not know how serious
they took it until I went to Ibadan
and the Alaafin crowned me with a
King’s crown! I have been keeping the
crown since then. And so the title, King
was added to my name. I still feel
grateful to everybody who participated in the event – the organizers and
voters. I thank my fans, band boys and
my family. It was not something that
came overnight. The public fully
participated in it. It was when it was
all over I realized it was not an easy thing.
was glad because this was something I did not lobby for or planned for. Like other awards in recognition of my
contribution to music, it just came.
Like other awards, I thought the presentation would be in the form of a
plaque or certificate. But no, this was
different. The organizers had a grand
idea of how to honor their king of music.
And who else but the respected first class traditional ruler, the Alaafin
of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, that was chosen to handle
the ceremony. I did not know how serious
they took it until I went to Ibadan
and the Alaafin crowned me with a
King’s crown! I have been keeping the
crown since then. And so the title, King
was added to my name. I still feel
grateful to everybody who participated in the event – the organizers and
voters. I thank my fans, band boys and
my family. It was not something that
came overnight. The public fully
participated in it. It was when it was
all over I realized it was not an easy thing.
 |
| KSA…Loves to see unity in the Nigerian Music family (With him is Fatai Rolling Dollars and Commander Ebenezer Obey). |
It
took about two months of collation of votes and sorting them out before they
could reach a decision. I don’t know why
the organizers have not come up with another edition since then. They call me the king of music and I don’t
rule over any town, city or state. I’m
ruling the world of music which is okay by me. Even my Oba calls me King
Sunny Ade. It is always King
Sunny Ade, leader of African
Beats; King Sunny Ade, Golden
Mercury of Africa or King Sunny Ade and his band. It’s
not King
Sunny
Ade of any town or city. That’s
the difference.
took about two months of collation of votes and sorting them out before they
could reach a decision. I don’t know why
the organizers have not come up with another edition since then. They call me the king of music and I don’t
rule over any town, city or state. I’m
ruling the world of music which is okay by me. Even my Oba calls me King
Sunny Ade. It is always King
Sunny Ade, leader of African
Beats; King Sunny Ade, Golden
Mercury of Africa or King Sunny Ade and his band. It’s
not King
Sunny
Ade of any town or city. That’s
the difference.
The
challenge of the title is not a thing that I can describe. You can only pray and work harder because,
like other awards that I got, it means working harder. At the initial stage, the way some musicians
took the event bothered me. But after
some days, I just let it go because looking back I did not put myself
there. I was called. I was crowned by a First Class Oba. I was given a staff of office as the King
of Music and I’m a musician, who is still performing. So whatever they said at that time did not
bother me.
challenge of the title is not a thing that I can describe. You can only pray and work harder because,
like other awards that I got, it means working harder. At the initial stage, the way some musicians
took the event bothered me. But after
some days, I just let it go because looking back I did not put myself
there. I was called. I was crowned by a First Class Oba. I was given a staff of office as the King
of Music and I’m a musician, who is still performing. So whatever they said at that time did not
bother me.
(Excerpts
from the book; KSA: My Life, My Music by
King Sunny Ade. Read ‘How I run 20 other companies with Music’
tomorrow on this blog)
from the book; KSA: My Life, My Music by
King Sunny Ade. Read ‘How I run 20 other companies with Music’
tomorrow on this blog)
